Off the Track?
Wed., November 21, 02:43 PM
It's the day before Thanksgiving, which is a week early this year (five Thursdays this November). Though it has been cold in the northern parts of the state, we have not seen any frost in our neighborhood. I'm beginning to think I might have pruned my rosebush too early.
Nevertheless, the Christmas advertising has begun in earnest. I am definitely sensing a kind of panic. (It's the kind of hype I used to hear about Broadway shows, just before they closed.) “We're opening at 8 a.m.… at 7… set your alarm, we'll be open at 4 a.m.” Not only have the commercials begun earlier (in the season, I mean) than usual, but there are so many “special sales” and “one-time opportunities” that I am fairly sure the after-Christmas sales won't be offering much in the way of bargains. Basically, it is that emphasis on gifts that I was bemoaning five years ago. Unfortunately, the state of the economy just increases the pressure.
I am watching people who don't have enough money, scrambling to buy presents for every child — and I don't mean just their own — just because this is the time when you are supposed to buy presents. Maybe it's me, because I just am not interested in any of that merchandise. But c'mon, wouldn't you rather buy them birthday presents? It's much more fun to concentrate on one child at a time, choosing something unique to that child, rather than picking up some piece of junk — maybe very expensive, but still junk — that's being advertised just because they know you're in a receptive frame of mind. I still am annoyed by the “educational toys” that are just substitutes for parents — and not very good ones, at that.
I'm about ready to recycle my bah, humbug! post. No, that's not right. I can't even get angry about it any more. It's just dumb. How did we all get into this mindset? And what are we teaching our kids? I believe we are seriously off the track.
I do have more to say on this subject — or related ones — but I have things to do.
